Follow Us on Google
From Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disputed the claim credited to Vice President Kashim Shettima that a former governor of the state and chieftain of the party, Alhaji Sule Lamido was working discreetly for President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The clarification is coming against the claim by Shettima during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Dutse, the state capital on Tuesday.
Shettima, who was listing the array of personalities working with the APC for the success of the president in the forthcoming polls listed three previous governors of the state who are all members of the party and clapped up the list with Lamido, who is a PDP chieftain.
But in a statement yesterday in Dutse, the state chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ibrahim Babandi observed with dismay over what he called false political narrative and unauthorised assertions credited to Shettima, regarding an endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term.
According to him, “We wish to state unequivocally that Dr. Sule Lamido has never at any point endorsed President Bola Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress (APC) for 2027 or any other term.
“Dr Lamido is an iconic leader of national stature, whose political career, principled consistency and fearless track records speak for themselves. He is neither a political lightweight, nor a politician who needs proxy spokespersons, political handlers or executive endorsements made on his behalf.”
Babandi remarked that Lamido’s political career had been anchored on an unwavering principle laced with integrity. While tracing Lamido’s political career, he maintained the former governor had never left anyone in doubt about where he belongs
He added: “Throughout his decades of public service, from the People Redemption Party (PRP) era to his time as Minister of Foreign Affairs and two-term Governor of Jigawa State, Lamido has never hidden his political views or spoken through third parties. When he agrees with a cause, he champions it publicly without fear; when he disagrees, he opposes it openly without compromise.
“The historic 2013/2015 G7 Governors’ Era: When five of the G7 PDP governors defected to form the APC in 2013–2015, Dr. Lamido, despite being a core architect of the political reform movement, refused to jump ship. He remained steadfast in the PDP based on ideology, principles and his conviction to build institutions rather than chase opportunistic power shifts.
“If Lamido ever decides to endorse President Tinubu or any candidate, he possesses the immense political courage, eloquence and personal authority to make that statement by himself, in his own voice and in his own words. Until then, any claim or insinuation from external political actors remains an unhelpful speculation.
“Lamido’s political strength in Jigawa State and across the northern political landscape is absolute. His followers and the entire membership of the Jigawa State PDP stand fully prepared, disciplined and ready to align completely with whatever political direction or declaration he personally announces.
“Let it be known across Nigeria that the PDP structure in Jigawa State remains entirely intact, formidable and unflinchingly loyal to Lamido. We urge the ruling party to focus on the serious governance challenges facing the country rather than attempting to construct manufactured political alignments.
“We advise Vice President Shettima and the ruling APC leadership to refrain from orchestrating proxy political declarations or attributing political endorsements to Lamido,” he declared
